Category Archives:offshore wind

28
Mar

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.28.13

A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.

ENERGY POLICY 

IMF: Get rid of $1.9 trillion in energy subsidies to fight climate change (via Washington Post)

Oil and electricity: a compare-and-contrast tale of two regulators (via McClatchy)

Sequestration forces Interior to cut mineral revenue payments to states (via EnergyWire)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Battle widens over oil pipelines from Canada through Midwest (via Minnesota Star-Tribune)

Train derailment spills 30,000 gallons of Canadian crude in Minnesota (via Reuters)

Suncor Energy cancels troubled Alberta tar sands project (via Vancouver Sun)

US to hold Keystone pipeline hearing in Nebraska (via Phys.org)

RENEWABLES 

Solar, wind to push renewables to 36% of global cumulative installed capacity by 2020 (via EnergyNext)

Global solar PV installations to reach 200GW by 2015 (via EnergyNext)

China raising PV prices on European exports (via Recharge)

Japan to increase offshore wind capacity to 40x current level by 2020 (via EnergyNext)

UK boosts renewables share of power generation to 11.3% (via Recharge)

Rwanda to start $27 million geothermal development (via Renewable Energy World)

We’re number one: US installed most wind power in 2012, US company GE Wind is top supplier (via Climate Progress)

NREL study: securitization could cut solar LCOE 16% (via Greentech Media)

New organic solar cells process sunlight as plants do (via Mother Nature Network)

Study: Midwesterners open to wind farms, especially in rural areas (via Phys.org)

Lancaster, California becomes first US city to require solar (via Greentech Media)

OPT Oregon wave energy project delayed again (via EarthTechling)

COAL 

Japan coal use to jump 24% in 2013-2014 as energy costs rise (via Reuters)

More science on mountaintop removal’s health effects (via Charleston Gazette)

CLIMATE 

Security risks of climate change prompt military review by over 100 countries (via RTCC)

How to abuse statistics: claim global warming stopped in 1998 (via Weather Underground)

Global warming predictions prove accurate over past 15 years (via The Guardian)

Climate change is increasing seasonal allergies (via Climate Central)

Ocean acidification from climate change threatens the seas (via USA Today)

EMISSIONS 

EU eyes 40 percent carbon cuts by 2030 (via BusinessGreen)

EU confident carbon market fix will win states’ support (via Bloomberg)

Auditor General’s carbon neutral report scalds British Columbia government (via Huffington Post/Canadian Press)

Disney, Microsoft, Shell opt for self-imposed CO2 emission taxes (via The Guardian)

Study: US biofuels policy pushes GHG emissions overseas (via Midwest Energy News)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Fracking’s latest scandal – earthquake swarms (via Mother Jones)

Drilling boom spurs rush to harness brackish water (via StateImpact Texas)

Small towns find fracking brings boom, booming headaches (via Bloomberg)

Texas regulators ease rules to encourage frack water recycling (via Houston Chronicle)

Nearly 670 miles of wells drilled in Ohio in 2012 (via Akron Beacon Journal)

TRANSPORTATION 

US “peak miles” may have happened five years ago, Americans still drive 3 trillion miles a year (via Autoblog Green)

Nissan Leaf sales will hit new record in March, around 1,900 units (via Autoblog Green)

Fisker puts US workforce on furlough this week (via Reuters)

GRID 

Seven simple strategies for smart grid engagement (via Renew Grid)

Solar activity can affect transmission grid, but 2013 activity less than anticipated (via US EIA)

You can’t have a smarter grid without smarter buildings (via Greentech Media)

Santa Clara, California launches free outdoor wi-fi on backs of smart meters (via GigaOm)

ENVIRONMENT 

With drought season off to a bad start, scientists forecast another bleak year (via InsideClimate News)

Gardeners plant strawberries and tomatoes in Arctic valleys of Greenland for first time (via Inhabitat)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

How the Internet of Things will transform building management (via GreenBiz)

Tax time 2013: energy efficiency home tax credits (via EarthTechling)

POLITICS 

UK prime minister removes anti-wind energy minister from post (via Recharge)

Under fire, Senate Democrat trio says Keystone vote not endorsement (via The Hill)

Ethanol debate has glimpse of bipartisanship (via National Journal)

OPINION 

Low-carbon economies and smart grids: watch out for China (via Forbes)

Americans already pay a carbon tax, via extreme weather’s impact on GDP (via Sustainable Business)

Giant investment bank taken over by hippie alarmists (via Grist)

Is the sky the limit for wind power? (via NPR)

Cooling on warming (via New York Times)

How green is your university? (via New York Times)

OTHER NEWS 

An additional roundup of energy and climate news is posted at Climate Progress

Posted:   |   Categories: Alberta, biofuels, british columbia, california, canada, cap and trade, Carbon market, Carbon pricing, carbon tax, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Disney, drought, earthquakes, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, environment, ethanol, EU, European Union, ev, Fisker, fracking, GE Wind, geothermal, global warming, green business, greenland, grid, IMF, interior department, japan, Keystone XL, LCOE, Microsoft, minnesota, mountaintop removal, natural gas, Nebraska, News, nissan LEAF, NREL, Ocean acidification, offshore wind, Ohio, oil spill, oregon, Peak miles, Pipelines, renewables, Rwanda, Sequestration, Shell, smart grid, smart meters, solar, solar pv, Solar trade war, Subsidies, Suncor Energy, tar sands, texas, transmission, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, Wastewater, Wave energy, wind
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27
Mar

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.27.13

A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.

ENERGY POLICY 

EU to start debate on energy, climate rules amid crisis (via Bloomberg)

China’s utility giants vulnerable to water scarcity, report says (via Yale e360)

Report: Energy Department mismanaged stimulus-backed climate program (via The Hill)

ENVIRONMENT 

EPA: most of nation’s waters in “poor condition for aquatic life” (via Stateline)

Open-source project explores “choke point” of water, food, & energy crises (via EarthTechling)

Teen invents device to clean giant ocean garbage patches (via Treehugger)

New Mexico farmers seek “priority call” as drought persists (via New York Times)

RENEWABLES 

China warns EU over solar panel spat (via Recharge)

China’s bailouts darken horizon for solar panel sector (via Reuters)

Report: Vestas blown off wind market top spot by GE (via BusinessGreen)

Bosch turns off light on money-losing solar power business (via Autoblog Green)

Rooftop solar could power all Australian households, slash electricity prices (via Renew Economy)

Angola “planning 100MW wind farm” (via Recharge)

Denmark hits 1,000MW of offshore wind, shows no sign of slowing down (via Forbes)

Study shows need to account for carbon sinks when siting clean energy projects (via Greentech Media)

US DOE launches new clean energy manufacturing initiative (via Energy Collective)

Federally funded R&D centers spent $17.8 billion on R&D in FY 2011 (via Green Car Congress)

Massive energy skyscraper proposed for US-Mexico border (via Forbes)

Another PACE setback: California court dismisses suit challenging curtailment (via Solar Industry)

Georgia set to increase solar energy with new legislation (via CleanTechnica)

Dominion to pay for solar power in Virginia, but is it enough? (via EarthTechling)

EMISSIONS 

Discovery may allow scientists to make fuel from CO2 in the atmosphere (via Phys.org)

EU set to announce 30% by 2030 emissions reduction target (via RTCC)

US emissions decline, coal exports rise (via RTCC)

The price of carbon (via Huffington Post)

Washington State passes legislation to tackle greenhouse gas emissions (via Oregon Public Broadcasting)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Interior Department to release another draft of fracking rules (via Casper Star-Tribune)

US natural gas pipeline construction plummets in 2012 (via Houston Chronicle)

Wyoming judge rules fracking ingredients are trade secrets (via Casper Star-Tribune)

Waterless fracking makes headway in Texas, slowly (via Texas Tribune)

2011 Oklahoma earthquake tied to oil-drilling fracking wastewater (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Rising UK energy bills will be reduced with climate policies, says energy secretary  (via The Guardian)

How to save the US $1 trillion: energy efficiency (via EarthTechling)

Army testing energy efficient tents (via Energy Manager Today)

OIL 

Oil spill response group forming emergency strike team for Gulf (via Houston Chronicle)

Rising North Dakota oil production and demand spurs two new refineries (via US EIA)

Cleanup of 2010 Michigan dilbit spill aims to stop spread of submerged oil (via InsideClimate News)

TRANSPORTATION 

Electric vehicle drive motor sales will reach 3.7 million units by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

China mandates strict fuel-economy increase to 47 mpg by 2020 (via Autoblog Green)

Enviros decry Virginia tax on hybrid cars (via The Hill)

COAL 

Oregon, Washington governors ask Obama to weigh climate impact of coal ports (via Bloomberg)

CLIMATE 

Arctic ice hits annual maximum extent, 6th lowest on record (via Climate Central)

UK’s lead G8 negotiator blocks climate change from agenda (via The Guardian)

Federal plan aims to help wildlife adapt to climate change (via Los Angeles Times)

Seven surprising ways US cities are adapting to monster storms (via OnEarth)

Poll questions shift public views on global warming (via USA Today)

New York State tells investors that climate change may hurt its finances (via New York Times)

POLITICS 

Five easy pieces of energy legislation for Congress (via National Journal)

Ernest Moniz should have an easy time with Senate confirmation (via Politico)

Carbon tax? No thanks, says US Senate (via Los Angeles Times)

OPINION 

Will China’s new leaders clean up the environment? (via Energy Collective)

Do clean energy innovation clusters work? (via Greentech Media)

What climate hawks can (and can’t) learn from public-health campaigns (via Grist)

Why emerging economies are not cleantech cash machines (via Navigant Research)

The state of cleantech venture capital: what lies ahead (via GigaOm)

More effort needed to meet EU’s 2020 clean energy goals (via Reuters)

Can offshore wind make or break wave energy? (via Renewable Energy World)

Do high natural gas prices mean the shale boom is ending? (via Christian Science Monitor)

OTHER NEWS 

An additional roundup of energy and climate news is posted at Climate Progress

Posted:   |   Categories: Angola, arctic, arra, australia, biofuel, Bosch, california, carbon dioxide, Carbon market, Carbon sink, carbon tax, China, climate, co2, coal, Coal export, denmark, DOE, Dominion, drought, earthquake, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, environment, EPA, Ernest Moniz, EU, European Union, ev, Extreme weather, fracking, Fracking fluid, Fracking wastewater, Fuel Economy, GE, Georgia, global warming, hybrid, interior department, mexico, michigan, natural gas, New Mexico, new york state, News, north dakota, offshore drilling, offshore wind, oil, Oil spill Gulf of Mexico, oklahoma, oregon, PACE, Pacific Garbage Patch, Pipelines, politics, renewables, rooftop solar, Sea ice melt, Shale gas, Shale oil, solar, Solar trade war, texas, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, US Army, vestas, virginia, Washington State, Water quality, Water scarcity, Waterless fracking, wind, wyoming
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26
Mar

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.26.13

GRID 

Hackers hit energy companies more than others (via Houston Chronicle)

Opower putting energy monitoring to work in New Zealand (via Renew Grid)

Why California will lead the world on microgrids (via Navigant Research)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Shell says China approves shale deal, plans more drilling (via Reuters)

New panel to advise EPA on fracking (via The Hill)

Over half of US natural gas pipeline projects in 2012 were in the Northeast (via US EIA)

States deciding note to consider seismic risks of shale drilling (via EnergyWire)

RENEWABLES 

Report: Europe losing its edge in clean tech market (via BusinessGreen)

France expects new wind tender to attract $4.5 billion (via Recharge)

Wind power peaks in UK, Denmark, US (via Renewable Energy World)

Scientists hail bio-batteries breakthrough (via BusinessGreen)

NRG skirts utilities taking solar panels to US rooftops (via Bloomberg)

The biggest fight over renewable energy is now in the states (via Washington Post)

Numbers from the war on state renewable standards (via Greentech Media)

Stunning fact: Iowa and South Dakota get nearly 25% their electricity from wind (via Facts of the Day)

In Iowa, another view on how to solve wind’s variability (via Midwest Energy News)

ENVIRONMENT 

Humans killed over 10% of world’s bird species when they colonized Pacific Islands (via Mongabay)

White House declares five national monuments (via The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION 

France’s electric car push presents power grid challenge (via Reuters)

Boeing tests Dreamliner battery fix with Japan first in line (via Bloomberg)

Better route planning cuts fuel use in freight sector (via Reuters)

Tesla to expand Supercharger network in Northwest, Texas, Florida, Northeast (via Green Car Reports)

OIL 

Exxon fined $1.7 million over Yellowstone River oil spill (via CNBC)

Tiny Dallas oil company scores two giant deepwater discoveries in one week (via Forbes)

CLIMATE 

Scientists link frozen spring to dramatic Arctic sea ice loss (via The Guardian)

New research confirms global warming has accelerated (via Skeptical Science)

Climate change will bring greater extreme weather, warns UK’s chief scientific advisor (via The Independent)

Obama’s Achilles’ heel on climate: Senate Democrats (via Politico)

EMISSIONS 

Global carbon market volume set to rise 14 percent (via BusinessGreen)

Palo Alto takes leap to 100% carbon-neutral electricity (via Sustainable Business)

OPINION 

Can we shift to renewable energy? Yes, as to how… (via Grist)

How to rebuild green after natural disasters (via Environmental Leader)

Will NRG Energy be the next ten-ton gorilla in solar leasing? (via GigaOm)

Why Google is spending billions on renewable energy (via Christian Science Monitor)

Posted:   |   Categories: arctic, battery, Boeing Dreamliner, california, Carbon market, China, climate, Climate Change, denmark, earthquakes, Electric Vehicle, emissions, environment, EPA, europe, ev, ev charging, EV charging infrastructure, Extinction, Extreme weather, Exxon, Florida, fracking, France, Fuel Economy, global warming, google, green building, grid, Iowa, japan, Microgrid, natural gas, new zealand, News, NRG, offshore drilling, offshore wind, oil, oil spill, Opower, palo alto, Pipelines, Renewable energy standards, renewables, Sea ice loss, Shale gas, Shell, solar, South Dakota, Tesla, texas, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, wind
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25
Mar

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.25.13

A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.

CLIMATE 

China facing $243 billion climate funding shortfall (via BusinessGreen)

Australia’s new energy minister: I’m no longer a climate skeptic (via Renew Economy)

For engineers, climate failure becomes an option (via Climate Central)

Obama’s science advisers press for carbon standards (via The Hill)

Billionaire plans effort to calculate cost of inaction on climate (via Greenwire)

COAL 

Chinese utilities face $20 billion coal costs due to water, BNEF says (via Bloomberg)

Chicago coal plants left no toxic legacy, but cleanup remains complicated (via Midwest Energy News)

RENEWABLES 

India says 71% of solar capacity built using imported modules (via Bloomberg)

Cumulative solar PV demand to double again by 2015 (via Renewable Energy World)

China might soon stop flooding the world with cheap solar panels (via Washington Post)

New Japanese feed-in tariff rates set (via CleanTechnica)

Unlocking renewable energy potential in the Caribbean (via Renewable Energy World)

Renewable energy losing its shine in Europe (via USA Today)

Denmark adds record wind electricity to grid (via Energy Next)

Rising solar power production in US likely to make it second-largest new power source in 2013 (via Climate Progress)

Measuring renewable energy “reserves” (via Grist)

Northeast solar sales surge through Home Depot (via Greentech Media)

Possible tax credit repeal could threaten North Carolina solar (via News Observer)

OIL 

Russia lets China into Arctic rush as energy giants embrace (via Bloomberg)

Bakken emerges as contender for US oil drilling crown (via CNBC)

ENVIRONMENT 

Drought that ravaged US crops likely to worsen in 2013, forecast warns (via Guardian)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

US rejects Enbridge’s plan for Sandpiper oil pipeline (via Reuters)

Keystone XL passes US senate 62-37 (via The Hill)

Keystone public comments won’t be made public, State Department says (via Inside Climate News)

GRID 

CAISO green-lights renewable energy transmission projects (via Renew Grid)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

India to unveil shale gas policy within two weeks (via Reuters)

As gas wells multiply, so do fracking studies (via Navigant Research)

What happens when natural gas is no longer dirt cheap? (via Washington Post)

In Ohio, the fog begins to lift over the Utica shale (via Reuters)

Ohio fracking boom has not brought jobs (via Grist)

TRANSPORTATION 

What 2013 looked like for greener cars, back in 1988 (via Green Car Reports)

POLITICS 

Senate votes highlight Dem divisions over Keystone, carbon taxes (via The Hill)

Climate change activists’ hope springs eternal (via Politico)

Within mainstream environmental groups, diversity is lacking (via Washington Post)

OPINION 

China’s coal plants are squeezing its water supply (via GigaOm)

Energy intensity the worst way to measure energy efficiency (via Slate)

Why geoengineering has immediate appeal to China (via The Guardian)

Why Russian doomsday climate predictions may prove prophetic (via RTCC)

Biofuels mandate: defend, reform, or repeal? (via National Journal)

Posted:   |   Categories: arctic, australia, Bakken Shale, barack obama, biofuels, CaISO, canada, Carbon standard, carbon tax, Caribbean, chicago, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, denmark, drought, Enbridge, Energy Efficiency, Energy intensity, environment, EU, europe, feed-in tariff, fracking, Geoengineering, grid, Home Depot, india, japan, Keystone XL, natural gas, News, North Carolina, offshore drilling, offshore wind, Ohio, oil, Pipeline, renewables, Russia, Shale gas, solar, solar pv, tar sands, Tom Steyer, transmission, Transportation, Utica Shale, Water scarcity, wind
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22
Mar

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.22.13

A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.

CLIMATE 

2010 Iceland eruption yields bad news for geoengineering schemes (via Mongabay)

Ancient extinction has ominous CO2 lessons for today: study (via Climate Central)

New blog series will answer questions on climate finance (via WRI Insights)

TRANSPORTATION 

China imposes tough new auto fuel standards as renewables boom speeds up (via BusinessGreen)

EU puts airline carbon tax on hold for a year (via Phys.org)

It’s official: traffic pollution can cause asthma in children (via Los Angeles Times)

RENEWABLES 

UK’s green investment bank provides first offshore wind backing (via BusinessGreen)

Integrating variable renewables as Germany expands its grid (via Renewable Energy World)

Solar glut survives Suntech as customers seek alternative (via Bloomberg)

(more…)

Posted:   |   Categories: Air pollution, Allison Macfarlane, apple, barack obama, california, carbon tax, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, ComEd, Connecticut, Demand response, DOE, emissions, Energy Efficiency, energy storage, environment, EPA, Ernest Moniz, EU, European Union, Extinction, fracking, Fracking fluid, Fuel Cells, Fuel standard, Geoengineering, germany, green business, Green Investment Bank, grid, Hydropower, Iceland, Illinois, interior department, investment, Keystone XL, methane, natural gas, Nevada, new jersey, News, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Ocean acidification, OFA, offshore wind, oil, Organizing for America, PacifiCorp, Pecan Street, production tax credit, ptc, renewable portfolio standard, renewables, rps, Russia, Sally Jewell, Shale gas, Shale oil, smart grid, solar, State Department, Suntech, texas, TransCanada, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, vestas, Washington DC, wind
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20
Mar

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.20.13

A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.

ENERGY POLICY 

China expects energy talks breakthrough in official visit to Russia (via Bloomberg)

Fossil fuel generation increases 21% in Japan in 2012 (via Greentech Media)

US manufacturing sector energy use and intensity down since 2002 (via Green Car Congress)

EMISSIONS 

China postpones launch of national carbon market to post-2015 (via RTCC)

Green groups press EPA for climate rule opposed by industry (via Bloomberg)

RGGI nets $106 million for clean energy, may hit $2 billion by 2020 (via CleanTechnica)

Los Angeles halts using electricity from coal plants (via Bloomberg)

RENEWABLES 

Chinese installed wind capacity reached 75GW in 2012 (via CleanTechnica)

China’s Suntech declares bankruptcy (via Reuters)

Japanese bank signs on to support first US offshore wind farm (via AOL Energy)

With turbines on the watery horizon, hopes for a more streamlined permitting process (via ClimateWire)

Xcel hits Upper Midwest wind power record (via Star-Tribune)

Cape Wind expects construction start off Cape Cod by year-end (via Reuters)

Solar power installations top 1GW in New Jersey (via Reuters)

New Jersey solar market prices rise (via AOL Energy)

Arizona wins back its renewable energy standard (via Greentech Media)

Effort to repeal Kansas renewable energy standard fails in state legislature (via Wichita Eagle)

Feed-in tariff breakthrough in Iowa? (via Renewable Energy World)

Connecticut’s new plan for renewables turns to hydropower, away from biomass (via Hartford Courant)

NUCLEAR 

UK approves first new nuclear plant in decades (via BusinessGreen)

NRC votes for upgrades to some nuclear reactor vents (via New York Times)

Michigan nuclear plant’s fate depends on Indiana regulators (via Midwest Energy News)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

US reports huge potential for “fire in the ice” as Japan hurries to production (via EnergyWire)

Natural gas exports concern chemical executive (via Houston Chronicle)

Shale gas boom alone won’t propel US industry (via Wall Street Journal)

TRANSPORTATION 

Pressure builds in EU for tighter fuel emission rules (via BusinessGreen)

No silver bullet for reaching fuel and emissions goals, says study (via New York Times)

Washington State proposes $124 fine for parking gas car in EV spot (via Plugin Cars)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Policy changes could free $1 trillion in energy savings (via Houston Chronicle)

The EE Eight: energy-efficient campuses in the NCAA basketball tournament (via Alliance to Save Energy)

ENVIRONMENT 

From heat wave to snowstorms March weather goes to extremes (via Climate Central)

Warmer springs mean less snow cover, disruptions for plants and animals, and more allergies (via Union of Concerned Scientists)

Drought plunges Texas and US cattle herd to lowest level since 1952 (via Facts of the Day)

OIL 

US oil production is booming, but here’s the catch (via Washington Post)

Administration won’t trade ANWR drilling for clean energy fund (via Washington Post)

POLITICS 

Energy Security Trust faces partisan roadblock in Congress (via Politico)

Poll: President Obama’s voters don’t want Keystone approval (via Politico)

Billionaire targets Democrat on Keystone XL in Massachusetts Senate race (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Two reasons climate change is not like other environmental problems (via Grist)

It’s time to consider the long-term costs of fracking (via Houston Chronicle)

A short history of greenwashing the tar sands, part one (via Desmog Canada)

Posted:   |   Categories: anwr, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, arizona, barack obama, biomass, cape wind, China, Climate Change, coal, Connecticut, drought, Electric Vehicle, emissions, Energy Efficiency, Energy Security Trust, environment, EPA, EU, European Union, ev, Extreme weather, feed-in tariff, FIT, fracking, Fuel Economy, global warming, greenwashing, Hydropower, indiana, Iowa, japan, kansas, Keystone XL, los angeles, massachusetts, Methane hydrates, michigan, natural gas, Natural gas exports, new jersey, News, NRC, nuclear, offshore wind, oil, Renewable energy standard, renewables, res, rggi, Russia, Shale gas, solar, Solar renewable energy credit, SREC, Suntech, tar sands, texas, Tom Steyer, Transportation, uk, united kingdom, Washington State, wind, xcel
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18
Mar

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.18.13

A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.

EMISSIONS 

China to more than double air monitoring network (via Phys.org)

EPA likely to delay climate rules for new power plants (via Washington Post)

Dow Chemical to offset Olympic carbon emissions (via Environmental Leader)

RGGI auction raises $106 million for green reinvestment (via Environmental Leader)

Can a divestment campaign move the fossil fuel industry? (via Yale e360)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Natural gas export debate heats up over economic benefits (via Houston Chronicle)

Intrigue in Illinois after House Speaker calls for fracking moratorium (via Midwest Energy News)

RENEWABLES 

$1 trillion projected German fossil fuel import savings from Energiewende (via CleanTechnica)

Indian solar boom boosting materials market (via BusinessGreen)

DOE leaves $51 billion in loan funds unused, says GAO (via The Hill)

Using robots to drive down the cost of solar (via San Jose Mercury News)

Days of promise fade for ethanol (via New York Times)

Bipartisan bill aims to streamline hydropower development (via Renew Grid)

Ten states get 10% of electricity from wind (via Sustainable Business)

Finding happy ground between wind turbines and birds (via Earth Techling)

Arizona wins back its renewables standard (via Greentech Media)

Proposed bill looks to light up Wisconsin’s solar sector (via Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel)

Offshore wind research takes a step forward in Virginia (via Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Ohio legislature re-examines renewable energy mandate (via Columbus Dispatch)

OIL 

Soaring oil prices fuels second North Sea boom (via Daily Express)

North Dakota oil production reaches new high in 2012 (via US EIA)

ENVIRONMENT 

Greening tundra shows impacts of spreading warmth (via Climate Central)

Record cesium level detected in fish caught near Fukushima (via Japan Times)

New Zealand suffering worst drought in 30 years (via Inhabitat)

In drought-ravaged plains, efforts to save a vital aquifer (via Stateline)

Recent storms highlight flaws in top US weather model (via Climate Central)

TRANSPORTATION 

EPA finds 2012 fuel economy was highest ever, 23.8 mpg (via Autoblog Green)

Fuel economy: small decline in 2011 and a probable climb in 2012 (via New York Times)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Market access issues weigh on oil sands developers (via AOL Energy)

Unions split on plans for Keystone XL pipeline (via Houston Chronicle)

House to vote before Memorial Day on Keystone pipeline (via The Hill)

White House: Keystone XL pipeline not a climate change cure (via Time)

House bill would reroute Keystone pipeline around Obama (via Bloomberg)

Enbridge ordered to complete cleanup of massive Michigan oil spill (via CTV/AP)

Enbridge seeks approval to nearly double tar sands pipeline capacity (via Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel)

GRID 

Energy storage technology to surge worldwide (via Houston Chronicle)

Microgrids by mail can contribute to rural electrification in India (via Renewable Energy World)

Risky energy: cyber-security and the nation’s infrastructure (via National Journal)

Fast demand response helps balance the grid (via Navigant Research)

POLITICS 

Obama starts unveiling his plans for climate change, clean energy (via GigaOm)

Congress moves to close tax loopholes for fossil fuels (via Grist)

White House: green investments trump Keystone decision (via USA Today)

How the White House thinks about climate change, in 7 charts (via Washington Post)

OPINION 

Why Obama’s Energy Security Trust is a bad idea (via Forbes)

Why we need more solar companies to fail (via MIT Technology Review)

Ten reasons why fracking for dirty oil in California is a stupid idea (via Grist)

What do young conservatives at CPAC think about climate change? (via Grist)

Rebuild vs. retreat: Christie and Cuomo offer contrasting plans in wake of Sandy (via Bergen Record)

Posted:   |   Categories: arizona, barack obama, california, carbon offsets, China, Climate Change, CPAC, Cybersecurity, Demand response, Divestment, DOE, Dow Chemical, drought, emissions, Enbridge, Energy Security Trust, energy storage, EPA, ethanol, fracking, Fuel Economy, fukushima, germany, global warming, grid, Hydropower, Illinois, india, Keystone XL, michigan, Microgrid, natural gas, Natural gas exports, new zealand, News, north dakota, North Sea, nuclear, offshore drilling, offshore wind, Ohio, oil, oil spill, Olympics, Renewable energy standard, renewables, res, rggi, Shale oil, solar, Subsidy, tar sands, Transportation, virginia, wind, Wisconsin
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15
Mar

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.15.13

A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

US natural gas exports to Mexico jump 24 percent (via Houston Chronicle)

US utilities to burn more coal as natgas prices climb (via Reuters)

Risky US-backed loans and a diplomatic blitz force debate over LNG costs (via EnergyWire)

University of Tennessee’s fracking research funded by gas profits raises ethics concerns (via Washington Post/AP)

TRANSPORTATION 

Road funds on empty; more US states weigh gasoline tax hikes (via Reuters)

New internal combustion technology could improve range-extended electric cars (via Green Car Reports)

US House will get EV charging stations for plug-in driving Congressmen (via Autoblog Green)

NUCLEAR 

Japan’s fossil-fueled generation remains high because of continuing nuclear plant outages (via US EIA)

Exelon could boost its US nuclear output 1,100MW (via Crain’s Chicago Business)

RENEWABLES 

Japan adds 1,178Mw of mostly solar energy in nine months (via Bloomberg)

EU could save billions with cross-border renewables cooperation (via Reuters)

Biomass industry to more than triple globally by 2030 (via Renewable Energy World)

EU votes to extend renewables target to 2030 (via Recharge)

2012 was a record-breaking year for solar panels in the US (via GigaOm)

The trouble with turbines: an ill wind (via Nature)

California renewable power supply growing, costs falling (via Reuters)

Bill would end North Carolina’s renewable energy program (via Charlotte News Observer)

NJ regulators to decide in June on offshore wind project (via Recharge)

Massachusetts could be hub for offshore wind industry (via Sustainable Business)

OIL 

Cradle of mankind offers Kenya three centuries of oil (via Bloomberg)

US EIA projects OPEC oil decline in 2013 (via Houston Chronicle)

Interior chief: Shell “screwed up,” must improve to resume Arctic effort (via The Hill)

Interior allows BP to bid on Gulf leases, with conditions (via Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE 

USAID launches Pacific climate change projects (via Australia Network News)

Lack of climate action risks developing world gains, says UN (via Phys.org)

World’s hotter days cooled by growth of grasslands (via Phys.org)

February keeps the planet’s warm streak alive: NOAA (via Climate Central)

Devastating East African drought made more likely by climate change (via Phys.org)

Glacial meltwater catastrophes are forming high in the Andes (via ClimateWire)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

US oil exports spur more questions about Keystone XL pipeline (via Wall Street Journal)

GEOENGINEERING 

Experts propose new structure for regulation of geoengineering research (via Phys.org)

Can giant umbrellas help protect polar ice caps? (via Good)

Rules needed for geoengineering research, say experts (via Climate Central)

EMISSIONS 

EU cancels carbon auction, prices drop (via Environmental Leader)

Shaping the next generation of carbon markets (via Huffington Post)

ENVIRONMENT 

Spring rain, then foul algae in ailing Lake Erie (via New York Times)

GRID 

Maintaining grid “survivability” after blackouts (via Renew Grid)

Are municipal utilities more resilient during disasters? (via Grist)

Smart grid markets on the move (via AOL Energy)

POLITICS 

Obama revives green energy sales pitch (via The Hill)

Obama turns focus to research in first energy speech of second term (via Reuters)

Could Republicans ever support a carbon tax? Bob Inglis thinks so (via Washington Post)

Green groups flocking to Markey for Senate (via Politico)

OPINION 

There’s high trust in clean power despite the negative headlines (via GigaOm)

Immigration reform – for the climate (via Los Angeles Times)

15 must-haves for any modern residential solar website (via Renewable Energy World)

Posted:   |   Categories: arctic, barack obama, biomass, Blackout, Bob Inglis, BP, california, cap and trade, cape wind, Carbon market, carbon tax, climate, Climate Change, coal, drought, Ed Markey, eia, Electric Vehicle, emissions, environment, EU, European Union, ev, ev charging, EV charging infrastructure, Exelon, fracking, Gas tax, Geoengineering, global warming, grid, Gulf of Mexico, interior department, japan, Kenya, Keystone XL, Lake Erie, LNG, massachusetts, mexico, natural gas, Natural gas exports, new jersey, News, noaa, North Carolina, nuclear, offshore drilling, offshore wind, oil, Oil exports, OPEC, politics, renewable portfolio standard, renewables, rps, Shell, smart grid, solar, tar sands, Tennessee, Transportation, wind
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15
Mar

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.15.13

A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

US natural gas exports to Mexico jump 24 percent (via Houston Chronicle)

US utilities to burn more coal as natgas prices climb (via Reuters)

Risky US-backed loans and a diplomatic blitz force debate over LNG costs (via EnergyWire)

University of Tennessee’s fracking research funded by gas profits raises ethics concerns (via Washington Post/AP)

TRANSPORTATION 

Road funds on empty; more US states weigh gasoline tax hikes (via Reuters)

New internal combustion technology could improve range-extended electric cars (via Green Car Reports)

US House will get EV charging stations for plug-in driving Congressmen (via Autoblog Green)

NUCLEAR 

Japan’s fossil-fueled generation remains high because of continuing nuclear plant outages (via US EIA)

Exelon could boost its US nuclear output 1,100MW (via Crain’s Chicago Business)

RENEWABLES 

Japan adds 1,178Mw of mostly solar energy in nine months (via Bloomberg)

EU could save billions with cross-border renewables cooperation (via Reuters)

Biomass industry to more than triple globally by 2030 (via Renewable Energy World)

EU votes to extend renewables target to 2030 (via Recharge)

2012 was a record-breaking year for solar panels in the US (via GigaOm)

The trouble with turbines: an ill wind (via Nature)

California renewable power supply growing, costs falling (via Reuters)

Bill would end North Carolina’s renewable energy program (via Charlotte News Observer)

NJ regulators to decide in June on offshore wind project (via Recharge)

Massachusetts could be hub for offshore wind industry (via Sustainable Business)

OIL 

Cradle of mankind offers Kenya three centuries of oil (via Bloomberg)

US EIA projects OPEC oil decline in 2013 (via Houston Chronicle)

Interior chief: Shell “screwed up,” must improve to resume Arctic effort (via The Hill)

Interior allows BP to bid on Gulf leases, with conditions (via Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE 

USAID launches Pacific climate change projects (via Australia Network News)

Lack of climate action risks developing world gains, says UN (via Phys.org)

World’s hotter days cooled by growth of grasslands (via Phys.org)

February keeps the planet’s warm streak alive: NOAA (via Climate Central)

Devastating East African drought made more likely by climate change (via Phys.org)

Glacial meltwater catastrophes are forming high in the Andes (via ClimateWire)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

US oil exports spur more questions about Keystone XL pipeline (via Wall Street Journal)

GEOENGINEERING 

Experts propose new structure for regulation of geoengineering research (via Phys.org)

Can giant umbrellas help protect polar ice caps? (via Good)

Rules needed for geoengineering research, say experts (via Climate Central)

EMISSIONS 

EU cancels carbon auction, prices drop (via Environmental Leader)

Shaping the next generation of carbon markets (via Huffington Post)

ENVIRONMENT 

Spring rain, then foul algae in ailing Lake Erie (via New York Times)

GRID 

Maintaining grid “survivability” after blackouts (via Renew Grid)

Are municipal utilities more resilient during disasters? (via Grist)

Smart grid markets on the move (via AOL Energy)

POLITICS 

Obama revives green energy sales pitch (via The Hill)

Obama turns focus to research in first energy speech of second term (via Reuters)

Could Republicans ever support a carbon tax? Bob Inglis thinks so (via Washington Post)

Green groups flocking to Markey for Senate (via Politico)

OPINION 

There’s high trust in clean power despite the negative headlines (via GigaOm)

Immigration reform – for the climate (via Los Angeles Times)

15 must-haves for any modern residential solar website (via Renewable Energy World)

Posted:   |   Categories: arctic, barack obama, biomass, Blackout, Bob Inglis, BP, california, cap and trade, cape wind, Carbon market, carbon tax, climate, Climate Change, coal, drought, Ed Markey, eia, Electric Vehicle, emissions, environment, EU, European Union, ev, ev charging, EV charging infrastructure, Exelon, fracking, Gas tax, Geoengineering, global warming, grid, Gulf of Mexico, interior department, japan, Kenya, Keystone XL, Lake Erie, Liquefied natural gas, LNG, massachusetts, mexico, natural gas, Natural gas exports, new jersey, News, noaa, North Carolina, nuclear, offshore drilling, offshore wind, oil, Oil exports, OPEC, politics, renewable portfolio standard, renewables, rps, Shell, smart grid, solar, tar sands, Tennessee, Transportation, wind
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14
Mar

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.14.13

A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.

ENERGY POLICY

US poised to become net energy exporter, Exxon Mobil forecasts (via Houston Chronicle)

Cities weigh taking electricity business from private utilities (via New York Times)

EPA reverses stance on polluting Texas water after a powerful lobbyist intervenes (via ProPublica)

West Virginia state legislation would prohibit heavy EPA fines (via Register-Herald)

GRID

Germany debates €10 billion grid network upgrade (via Recharge)

Silver Springs Networks’ stock jumps up close to 30% in debut (via GigaOm)

In wake of Sandy, Connecticut expands microgrid program (via Pike Research)

RENEWABLES

$71 trillion in institutional funds for wind, solar, and smart grid? (via Greentech Media)

US approves 1.1GW of solar and wind projects (via Recharge)

SEIA reports 76% surge in US solar installations (via New York Times)

FERC, US Coast Guard to coordinate development of hydrokinetic projects (via Renew Grid)

FERC proposes reforms to speed interconnection of renewables, solar (via Greentech Media)

North Carolina offshore wind draws interest (via Recharge)

New York State could run on wind, water, and sunlight (via CleanTechnica)

PG&E solar billing named in California’s top utility “money wasters” (via PV Tech)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING

Three hurdles for Japan’s gas “discovery” (via GigaOm)

Saudi Arabia’s shale plans may be slowed by lack of water (via Bloomberg)

USC says fracking may boost California economy 14% (via Bloomberg)

New York State farmers learn fracking many mean drilling if neighbors agree (via Bloomberg)

Illinois House Speaker supports two-year fracking moratorium (via State Journal-Register/AP)

SandRidge strikes deal that could lead to CEO’s removal (via Reuters)

EMISSIONS

Help Henry Waxman write a new carbon-tax bill (via Grist)

Second US carbon tax plan mooted (via RTCC)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS

Obama: pipeline decision coming soon (via The Hill)

State Department report OK’ing Keystone XL linked to oil industry (via Salon)

American pipeline will diminish energy security, prominent Canadian says (via InsideClimate News)

Keystone XL pipeline report studied British Columbia scenarios (via Huffington Post)

Obama says Keystone XL pipeline not major jobs creator (via CTV News)

Dilbit sinks in Enbridge oil spill, but floats in its lab study (via InsideClimate News)

OIL

US oil boom protects world from supply shocks (via Reuters)

OPEC: non-OPEC supply cutting into market share (via MarketWatch)

US refiners may boost gasoline exports on ethanol rule (via Reuters)

Study: shale oil contributed $30.4 billion to North Dakota’s economy in 2011 (via Bismarck Tribune)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

US energy efficiency league tables revealed (via RTCC)

LA tops US cities for Energy Star-certified buildings (via Sustainable Business)

SXSW: using Big Data to shrink energy waste (via Time)

Conservatives vs. liberals: who wastes more electricity? (via Grist)

Does daylight saving time save energy? (via Pike Research)

GREEN BUSINESS

Sustainability reporting slowly increases in China, report finds (via Environmental Leader)

Google incorporates green roofs into headquarters expansion (via GreenBiz)

COAL

Is there value in old coal-fired power plants? (via Midwest Energy News/ClimateWire)

Mountaintop removal coal mining poisoning Appalachia’s waterways (via Huffington Post)

CLIMATE

Large fractures spotted in vulnerable Arctic sea ice (via Climate Central)

Climate change affects mountain forests (via Phys.org)

After 2012 drought, US farmers adapt for climate change (via Phys.org)

Inslee’s climate change bill passes Washington state senate (via Seattle Times)

TRANSPORTATION

EV project tells us how drivers use electric cars (via Green Car Reports)

FAA approves Boeing Dreamliner battery tests (via Environmental Leader)

Minnesota sales of electric, gas vehicles collide (via Star-Tribune)

NUCLEAR

Obama administration placing big bet on small reactors (via Greenwire)

Above-normal outage of US nuclear capacity persist at start of 2013 (via US EIA)

Savannah River site could store nuclear waste, says study (via Charlotte Observer)

ENVIRONMENT

Dozens of species given new trade protections (via New York Times)

POLITICS

Obama to supporters: give lawmakers political cover on climate change (via The Hill)

Ryan budget pan calls two solar projects “ill-fated” – but they’re doing fine (via Washington Post)

OPINION

Renewable energy boom dependent on new energy infrastructure (via Renewable Energy World)

Obama and Keystone: reading the tea leaves (via Washington Post)

Can better solar loans slow the surge of third-party ownership? (via Greentech Media)

Five reasons why a successful Silver Springs IPO is important (via GigaOm)

Posted:   |   Categories: Appalachia, arctic, barack obama, Boeing Dreamliner, british columbia, california, canada, China, climate, Climate Change, coal, Connecticut, deforestation, Dilbit, drought, Electric Vehicle, Enbridge, Energy Efficiency, energy star, environment, EPA, ethanol, ev, Exxon Mobil, FAA, FERC, fracking, Gasoline, Georgia, germany, global warming, google, green business, green roof, grid, Hurricane Sandy, Hydropower, Illinois, Interconnection, japan, jay inslee, Keystone XL, los angeles, Methane hydrates, Microgrid, minnesota, mountaintop removal, natural gas, new york state, News, North Carolina, north dakota, nuclear, Nuclear waste storage, offshore wind, oil, oil spill, OPEC, Paul Ryan, PGE, renewables, SandRidge, saudi arabia, Savannah River, Sea ice melt, seia, Shale gas, Shale oil, Silver Spring Networks, small modular reactor, smart grid, solar, tar sands, texas, Third party solar, transmission, Transportation, US Coast Guard, Washington State, Water, West Virginia, wind
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